Welcome to the Fallout

Welcome to the Fallout

Author: Aislynn

Disclaimer: It’s not mine all of it belongs to Joss, and Mutant Enemy. I just fell in love with Buffy from the very first episode.

Summary: AU from the end of the final Season of Angel. Hope you like it so far. This chapter will be fairly long with reunions and meetings for various groups.

Rating: NC-17

Chapter 3: Reunions

Spike felt her presence; glancing over his shoulder he saw her watching him from the shadows of the training room.

“Blue, you really need to stop doing that.” Spike tilted his head to the side stretching his neck, and went back to his work out.

“Doing what?” Illyria asked, moving from the shadows her head tilted slightly to the side.

“Lurking, you have been following me around since we got here and it’s getting creepy.” Spike whirled around his wrist was caught in her powerful grip.

“I don’t lurk.” Illyria responded coldly, though it was a lie since her injury in the alleyway she had been lurking as he called it. In truth Spike was her lifeline now that Wesley was gone. They were both outsiders never truly accepted though she doubted he would agree.

“Standing in the shadows watching someone that is the definition of lurking borderline stalking, luv.” Spike pulled his wrist from her grasp.

“There is a tension between you and Angel, more so than usual. Why?” Illyria asked easily blocking the punch Spike sent her way.
“Buffy Summers, the Slayer,” Spike replied easily as he sent a series of blows toward her Illyria blocked them all, sending a few blows of her own that Spike managed to block.

“Yes.” Illyria replied stopping for a moment getting a far off look in her eyes. “You love her?” Illyria asked not surprised that he didn’t answer. “Love I know only the memories of Love.” She replied blocking another punch.

“Then you don’t know love. Its not something you can access through Fred’s memories, love is something you live through sometimes something you survive.” Spike replied as they slid into the dance of simple sparring. Their styles were so very different his brash and wild, hers cold and controlled. They moved well together not trying to hurt one and other only testing.

“Are you my friend?” Illyria asked breaking their tempo.

Spike glanced over the former god for a moment. “Am I your friend? What happened to my being your pet?”

Illyria raised a brow. “I’ve changed my mind. You would make a bothersome pet.”

Watching her for a moment he nodded. “Oddly enough Blue I think we are.”

Illyria nodded. “I don’t think I have ever had a friend.” Sending a series of punches his way Spike shifted managing to block the blows. “You will have to teach me.”

“Hell Blue, you picked a hell of an instructor.” Spike chuckled softly shaking his head. As he thought about it for a moment it wasn’t all that surprising that the former goddess had chosen to befriend they were both outsiders.

“I think we are going to have to teach each other.” Spike sighed managing to block another of her blows, only to find himself flat on his ass staring up at her. It may not be a bad thing having the former goddess as his friend.

“If we are going to be friends I will have to teach you to fight.” Illyria replied holding out her hand, and from her tone Spike knew she wasn’t joking.

Letting her lift him off the mat they continued to talk about nothing really Spike chattering on and Illyria adding a word or two here and there. A bond Spike would have never thought possible began to form unexpected and surprisingly.


It had taken time, but they had managed over the past few days to clean out some of the Hyperion and take an inventory of the supplies they had on hand. There hadn’t been any more portals opening and spewing out an army from hell but that didn’t mean things were slow by any means.

Each night things got worse and worse, the number of vampires and demons roaming the streets increased no longer trying to blend or hide they were doing what they pleased. There was only so many they could save with so few of them fighting.

Angel glanced up to see Conner coming inside, carrying boxes of canned foods. Conner had come to them on his own refusing to leave he had simply looked at him and said he wasn’t fighting for his father, he was fighting for what was right.

They were stocking up while they could as much food, water, and other supplies as they could manage, when they were out on the streets. Angel had no idea how many potentials would be coming. It had been two days since they called Andrew and since the initial call they had heard nothing.

“Isn’t there anything better for you to do then follow me around?” Spike asked glancing over at Illyria he knew they had agreed to be friends but she was taking it to the extreme. “You’re starting to creep me out again Blue.”

“No, and you amuse me.” Illyria responded without delay. Angel shook his head for the past two days their budding friendship was one of the strangest things to occur since they arrived back at the Hyperion. And oddly enough they actually seemed to be getting along.

Watching them he realized it wasn’t all the strange. Spike had a knack for taking care of people who needed it, not matter how annoying or crazy. They reminded Angel of siblings who bickered and picked on each other constantly.

“Well let’s see if you find this amusing.” Spike growled and whirled around getting ready to do some damage.

“Guess who’s here?” Came a familiar voice as the front doors swung open Spike turned watching as Faith moved though the doors followed closely by several young girls some of whom were familiar though his gaze focused on the final figure to enter the room. Robin Wood stood staring right back at him, surprise and shock was evident on his face.

Faith’s gaze instantly fell on the blond vampire who looked even more delicious than the last time she saw him. “Thought you were dead?” Faith came down the stairs her gaze flickered to the woman standing just behind him, and then recognition set in. “And what the hell happened to you, though I have to say I like the look?”

“Amulet,” Spike responded glancing toward Illyria who was staring at Faith intently. “This is Illyria, former goddess.” Spike replied not feeling the need to explain anything to this Slayer despite their moment of bonding in the summers basement.

“Okay.” Faith rolled her eyes knowing she would get the down low later. “B sent word so here we are, the first wave. You know V, and Kennedy the others you can meet later.” Faith sighed looking over at Angel. “Good to see you again, but we have to stop meeting like this. You only ever call when there’s an apocalypse going on.”

Angel moved forward as Faith put out her arms for a hug. Angel didn’t miss the large male moving forward out of the group someone was defiantly possessive. “Robin you haven’t met Angel.” Faith glanced over her shoulder at her partner and by partner she didn’t mean lover. They had gotten together a few times when there was no one else around, but Robin was too much of the straight and narrow type for long term. Faith did a quick intro not missing the looks Spike and Robin were throwing each other.

“I thought we were past all that.” Faith cut through the conversations that were going on starting at the two men who were glaring daggers at one and other.

“Never really had a chance I burned up before we could make nice. So long as your boy remembers a little conversation we had, things will be fine.” Spike replied softly his voice deadly calm his entire demeanor changing.

“Just remember that it goes both ways step out of line and I will be there to give you what you deserve.” Robin growled stepping forward only in the blink of an eye finding himself on his back staring up at a very pissed off chick with blue tinged eyes and hair.

Illyria moved before she even thought about it. Spike’s abrupt change had fascinated her for a moment. One moment he was the Spike she knew everyday the next he sent a chill down her spine with just a few words. There had been flashes in the months that she had known him, but never so concentrated.

“Spike is my friend, touch him and I will kill you.” Illyria spoke softly but her words carried through the open space like a shout.

“Hold on there.” Faith moved forward intending to defend her partner from the former god.

“Enough.” Angel yelled stopping everyone in their tracks. “We don’t have time for this. Conner, Spike lets finish unloading the trucks. Illyria check on Gunn.” Angel shook his head as they all went back to their tasks his gaze meeting Faith’s. “Let’s get your girls settled I am sure you’re all tired. One word of advice reign Robin in, Spike’s not the man you remember there is no chip keeping him in line.”

“He has a soul.” Faith replied flippantly.

“Yes he does, and after your little trip into my past I am sure you remember how long it took me to come to terms with my demon and the things I had done. Spike has done that in less than a year after being tortured and driven crazy by the First think on that and think about what he is capable of and remember that Robin is only human.”

Faith glanced over at Robin who was picking up their bags. “I’ll think about it.”


Illyria picked up another box following Spike’s motions without having to be asked. “Why do you and Robin Wood not get along?”

Spike glanced up at Blue and shrugged. “I killed his mother she was a Slayer didn’t have my soul at the time. I am a vampire she was Slayer it’s what happens.”

“When you were William the Bloody?” Illyria asked, setting the box onto another.

“Yeah,” Spike replied he hadn’t blamed Robin for trying to kill him, just the way he had gone about it using the trigger. In the end Robin had helped him more than he knew but it didn’t change the fact that if he tried anything this time around Spike would kill him.

“There are not two people inside you.” Illyria responded softly. “You are William and Spike they are one and the same. You stopped killing people before you had your soul back.”

“Because of the chip remember Blue we’ve gone over this before.” Spike sighed.

“Yes of course you and Fred, but not us.” Illyria responded her gaze watching Spike lift two boxes effortlessly. Spike was a puzzling creature a bundle of contradictions. So much power contained within his person so much potential.

“Thanks for sticking up for me Blue, but I can take care of myself.” Spike replied over his shoulder.

“Yes I know you can, but that’s what friends are for.” Illyria responded softly though she knew he must have heard for he stopped for a moment then continued as if he hadn’t. Sometimes it was easier to let things go. Moving past him she headed upstairs to check on Gunn.

Faith left her room after tossing her bags in the corner and freshening up and went in search of someone who would give her some answers and found him sorting through boxes in the basement.

“You must have a thing for basements Sunnydale High, Buffy’s, and here.” Faith stepped into the room.

“Not living in this one, I have a room upstairs.” Spike replied.

“So you’re alive, well not ashes.” Faith cut to the chase.

“Like I said the Amulet brought me back was a ghost for awhile Fred figured out how to bring me back in the flesh.”

“Buffy doesn’t know?” Faith lifted up the lid of a box finding cans of spaghetti sauce.

“Andrew does, we went to find her in Italy found out she was seeing the Immortal.” Spike shrugged.

Faith smiled shaking her head. “So like Angel you thought you would make the decision for her and just not let her know. If I were her and found out you had been alive I would be pissed, but then again I am not her.” When he didn’t respond Faith pushed even more. “What about Dawn?” Faith asked and watched him visibly flinch.

“The bit and I weren’t very close at the end it was never the same after.” Spike trailed off picking up another box moving past Faith he picked up another.

“After you tried to Rape, Buffy,” Faith moved into the room further. “I found out from Xander, Buffy doesn’t speak about you or Angel anymore.” Faith sighed. “I honestly don’t know what is going to happen when she sees, you and Angel.”

“I am sure the Whelp’s perception of what happened was a bit Jaded. As for the rest it doesn’t matter; she’s with the immortal now.” Spike replied meeting her gaze for the first time. “Buffy never loved me, she cared but she was never in love with me.”

“Are you still in love with her?” Faith asked because though they were getting along at the moment they weren’t that close.

“I will always love her.” Spike replied dusting his hand off, “Just like I will always love Drucilla.”

Faith sighed. “Well they will all be here soon the whole gang of scoobies led by Giles himself are you ready for that?” Faith asked.

“I hurt Buffy in a way I can never make up for of course she forgave me but its still there I will live with what I did everyday. I can make up excuses saying she drove me to it leading me on treating me like a dirty little secret. I could even say the demon drove me to do it. They are all just excuses.” Spike moved toward Faith.

Faith stumbled back his entire body language hand changed just like that one moment upstairs. He was Spike the next he was something else and the next moment every ounce of Slayer she had within was screaming inside her to run.

Spike’s voice dropped to a purr. “The question is are you ready because as much as I have done to them in the past, you did far more damage than me, and not to mention all that you have done.” Spikes gaze met Angel’s over Faith’s shoulder where he stood in the darkness.

“Lets be honest I tried to kill the Slayer on several occasions I tried to rape her. I never stole her body and fucked her boyfriend, among other things. And I didn’t try to mind fuck her and kill her watcher’s girlfriend. Of all of us here you two should be far more worried than I am about everyone showing up here.”

Moving past them both he called out over his shoulder. “I am a little more worried about what we are going to be facing than who’s mad at whom quite frankly I don’t give a shit.” Spike headed upstairs very aware of the figure that detached from the shadows and began to tag along behind him.

“Get all that Blue? And how is Gunn doing?” He asked softly and Illyria moved to his side.

Faith turned around meeting Angel’s gaze. “When are they arriving?” Angel asked softly he didn’t seem at all phased by Spike’s little speech. Appearances were deceiving he had followed Faith down here prepared to step in if she started something with his childe. Lately the Sire and Childe bond had been growing stronger. As annoying as Spike could be now that they both possessed their soul’s the bond seemed to tear wide open its one of the reasons he kept him at arms length for so long.

Faith shrugged pulling out her phone. “I don’t know. Buffy said they would be here not long after we got here they were flying. I haven’t been able to get anyone on their phones. It’s a far different Scooby gang than you are used to trust me. We have access to the Council’s bankroll. We have safe houses all over the world, private planes, weapons, and cars.” Faith sighed “You weren’t the only one who upgraded since we last met.”

“Taking over Wolfram, Ram, and Hart was a tactile move, not an upgrade.” Angel replied.

Faith nodded and met his gaze. “You could have shared that information with the rest of us, with Buffy at least.”

“When should I have done that Faith, and it goes both ways she never called to ask just made assumptions.” Angel moved toward the door.

“If just talking to me is so hard what do you think it’s going to be like when it’s Buffy standing here?” Faith called out as he left the room. Shaking her head Faith sighed this was going to be a disaster. They had no idea that the immortal was the one who was able to get them access to the watcher’s money, and that he was on the plane with Buffy and the others.


Buffy Ann Summers stepped off the plane after the other’s preceded her down the steps. Their luggage was being loaded onto the tour bus that had to be rented due to the size of their party. It had been Hunter’s idea, she refused to call him by his nickname the Immortal it was all too formal for her.

At first she had been wary about Hunters offer of assistance especially after Giles did a little research. The fact that no one could tell exactly what he was didn’t help matters. Though she had to admit most of the history on him placed him in a grey area neither on one side or the other she had wondered what had forced him or pushed him to choose a side.

They were seeing each other and that was as serious as they had gotten. Quite simply he made her forget and she thought perhaps she did the same for him. In the past few months he hadn’t pushed just willing to take what was given. And in return he expected the same courtesy. Buffy had to fight the urge to delve into his history more deeply and push him for answers. So far she already knew he was older than Angel by a few hundred years, though he only looked 25. He could also best her in a fight that little secret she kept to herself.

Hunter was one of those men you couldn’t ignore once he entered a room. He had that elusive quality that made you take notice it didn’t hurt that he was gorgeous. With blondish brown hair that when she met him had been long but recently he had sheered it off so it was cut close to his head. When she had met Angel and then Spike she had instantly thought them two of the most attractive men she had ever met. Hunter was drop dead gorgeous with a body to match standing at over 6 ft tall and from he had a body to match that was simply drool worthy.

It wasn’t just the pretty face that made you notice him it was the way he moved like someone who knew how to take care of himself. Beneath the attractive surface was a dangerous quality that you couldn’t help but notice. When he walked into a room it was like he owned the room, and when he noticed you it made you feel like you were the only one in that room. All that came naturally there was no posturing it just was there.

Beyond the physical attraction, and the fun evenings first and foremost theirs was a business relationship. Why he was helping her she didn’t know once she dared to ask and a sad smile crossed his beautiful lips and he replied simply “Penance of sorts.” When they went out it wasn’t to fall in love just simply too enjoy themselves.

Buffy knew he wasn’t your typical good guy that he had a dark past, but then so did most the men in her life. As thoughts of the two most significant men in her life crossed her mind she snapped out of her day dreaming, and she stepped onto the bus. Soon enough she would have to deal with her past and face them both. Andrew had lasted longer then she expected but had let it slip after their visit to Rome. Spike was alive, well not alive but back and had chosen to let her live her life the way she wanted, just like Angel. Likewise she had chosen her own path and chose to live that life, leaving them to do the same.

Live her life, what a joke she had never had a choice, and after activating all the potentials she couldn’t just leave them to fend for themselves. So they had reformed the Council with a few modifications and began gathering all the new slayers and began to train them. It had been a long year, one leaving little time for anything else, except a night here and there dancing the night away with Hunter. What a life she led.

“Are you ready for this?” Hunter asked ignoring the hopeful looks of a few of the younger Slayer’s and took the seat next to Buffy.

“I guess I have to be.” Buffy sighed softly turning to look at his handsome face. “Are you ready for this? You have never been involved like this before.” Buffy asked softly.

“I think I can manage.” Hunter replied giving Buffy a smile. As the bus started Buffy’s gaze turned toward the window and Hunter closed his eyes behind his glasses. She had no idea how involved he was, and he had never been more ready for the coming events, he had been waiting for them for what seemed an eternity.

The bus ride only took 20 minutes but it seemed like forever before they pulled up to the Hotel. Buffy took a deep breath as everyone got up to file off the bus. A hand brushed hers and Buffy turned to meet Willows concerned gaze. “I’ll be fine.” Buffy replied to the unasked question and turned to exit the bus. Moving forward she pushed all her fears aside, this was it she could either be strong or she could be weak, today she was determined to be strong.

Walking into the Hotel’s lobby she was a little concerned that she was able to enter their new headquarters so easily. As those thoughts filtered through her mind her gaze swept the room. It wasn’t overly crowded, and a few of the Slayers jumped up as they saw their sister’s in arms had arrived. From the back he walked into the room.

For a moment they just stared at one and other it had been awhile. So much had happened so many doubts had filled her concerning the man who was moving toward her making his way through the crowd. He stopped just before her, and she simply enjoyed the sight of him for a moment.

“So are you still cookie dough?” He asked softly his brown eyes warm and searching. So much was different so much was the still the same.

Buffy smiled, and moved into his arms enjoying the feel of being enveloped by his strong arms.

Angel felt it the moment the group walked into the room he couldn’t help but feel it something was here it was familiar he just couldn’t place it.

Spike sighed as they headed back toward the Hyperion it had been a long night though it had gone better with two Slayers in tow. Kennedy and V had joined them for their patrol near the docks. The city was getting worse the demons were no longer staying in their usual areas they were expanding their territories. They weren’t going to be able to do this much longer with their numbers so low. If they didn’t start finding people humans and demons alike that were willing to fight they were going lose this war before it even began.

“Illyria’s a great asset.” Kennedy cut through the silence glancing over at Spike.

“Yeah she can hold her own.” Spike glanced over at Illyria who had stopped her progress several feet behind them head tilted slightly to the side. “What is it blue?” Spike asked softly.

“I thought I felt something.” Illyria tried to hone in on the uneasy feeling but it was gone. “It’s nothing.” Even as she said the words she began to turn in a circle then stopped glancing to her left then right.

“You’re starting too creep me out again Blue.” Spike growled softly knowing that if she was acting strange then something was going to happen something defiantly not of the good.

“It’s gone.” Illyria walked toward them.

“What’s gone?” V asked watching the crazy blue haired woman with raised brows.

“Power for a moment I felt a great surge of power.” Illyria replied keeping to herself that she had felt the same thing when the horde had been sucked back into the portal in that alleyway. “We should get back to the Hyperion, now.”

“Bloody hell,” Spike sighed leading the way back just what they needed. Pushing through the front doors Spike was glad to see everyone was front and center. Immediately he noticed there were far more people present then before.

“Buffy.” He felt her before he saw her standing there before Angel like a goddess and the sight of her stopped him dead in his tracks. Their gazes clashed for a moment blue and green and everything stopped for just a moment then reality came crashing in. She wasn’t his Buffy anymore she was someone else’s and the fact that her hands were within Angel’s grasp was not lost on him either.

“Spike,” Buffy couldn’t keep the surprise out of her voice she was just getting over seeing Angel who hadn’t died saving the world. Of course she knew he was alive but it was far different than seeing it in person. “You look good for a pile of ashes.”

At the look he gave her she glanced over at Angel, whose gaze was on Spike not her at the moment that was odd. “Andrew told me, after your trip to Rome.” Glancing over her shoulder she saw that most everyone had filtered into the room.

Hunter watched the reunion without a single ounce of jealousy there was nothing to be jealous about Buffy and he had never made any promises to one and other.


“Angel, Spike you should meet someone.” Buffy wanted to get this over quickly to get it out of the way. She knew they had a past Hunter had admitted their path’s had crossed in a way over the years. Turning toward Hunter who was moving forward Buffy glanced over to see Angel and Spike were both staring at Hunter with the same look in their eye. “This is Hunter.” Buffy glanced between the men trying to gauge their reaction.

“The Immortal,” Angel snarled in a manner that was far more Spike’s style than his own. The young man standing before him was not what he expected. Remembering the various encounters they had with the Immortal made him want to tear the boy apart. Boy he was hardly a boy he was older than Angel, he could feel the power pulsing beneath the surface.

Spike’s reaction was far more direct, and very Spike. His fist connected with Hunter’s face and he was a little surprised when Hunter didn’t fly back his head simply tilted to the side. “I deserved that for Dru and Darla alone, far worse for the other dealings we have had in the past. Next time I won’t be so forgiving.”

Spike and Angel felt it immediately power, tightly contained rippled out just a trickle whatever the Immortal was it was similar to them only different they just couldn’t place pin it down.

Buffy sighed she had expected far worse, actually she was relieved that was all that happened.

“If you are done, we have a problem.” Illyria cut in her gaze sliding over Hunter. “I felt a power surge.” Illyria explained her gaze intent on Angel and Spike.

“And,” Angel asked glad for the distraction from Buffy and her new boyfriend.

“The last time I felt this, the Horde was sucked back into the portal. What ever was trying to come through before is trying to come through again. Last time the portal opened almost 15 minutes after I felt this in the alley way. We have 5 minutes.”

Buffy sighed they hadn’t even had time for everyone to get past all their bullshit and they didn’t even have time to unpack yet. “It never fails.”